Sunday, May 3, 2015

ROW80: Jumping Back In . . .

I'm feeling deliciously guilty after having taken the first four weeks of Round 2 simply and totally off . . . Yes, I did write a poem a day for the Blogging A-to-Z Challenge on my writing blog, but I missed staying in touch with everyone and feeling committed and inspired with writing and quilting. For the rest of this round, my goals are rather pared down to three categories. This week's goals are:

WRITING/EDITING:
--Continue organizing, plotting, writing, and editing Rivers of Stone (1 hour a day or 750 words, whichever comes first).
--Work on getting Standing Stones up on ACX (audio version).
--Post 2x week in writing and travel blogs.

RESEARCH/READING:
--Read 2 books/writing craft; download Letitia's journal.
--Track other reading x6 (GoodReads).
--Write indie reviews x3 and wip reviews x4 (Novels_L).

COMMUNITY/MARKETING/OTHER:
--Participate in F2F writers group, SAP.
--Finish binding on 2 quilts, start art quilt, charity quilt, and quillow.
--Walk, hike, swim x5 week. Eat with less sugar (but vanilla ice cream is OK at 12 grams per 1/2 cup). 

From writing to quilting and back?  I'm starting to read/work through the Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterston, and find their advice helpful overall -- even (or maybe especially) for writers.  Below, I've adapted their advice for writers, if creativity stalls:

--Break up the routine! Do something amazingly different.
--Go to where you last wrote successfully and take a new jumping off place -- in any direction you wish!
--Do anything that is mindless but physical or mental exercise. Watch for what floats to the surface.
--Write, but try something totally different -- riffing? character skeetch? bit of dialogue? fight scenelet? (A scenelet is smaller than a scene; maybe less intimidating). 
--Reread something you really didn't like. Ask why and then dive back into this piece to repurpose, transform, or simply redline out and let go.

May the week ahead go well for you. Visit other ROW80 writers to check out what they're doing and give a word of encouragement. Yes, it does help!


Draft Batik Block (Camp)








4 comments:

  1. Hmm, my previous comment seems to have flown into the ether. I think the transfer from Art Quilting to writing works well--those prescriptions make a lot of sense.

    I'm glad to see you back among us. I have taken rounds off, and it never goes well for me. I need the accountability. :)

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  2. Beth,
    I am reading The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne becase I am a story structure nerd and this guy is crazy soecific, and a kively style, too! High recommended!

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  3. I wonder where you had been. I'm glad that you are back; it's good to hear what you have been up to and where you are going.

    I love the batik quilt block. The colors sing "Spring".

    Best wishes for a productive week.

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  4. Glad to see you back. Good luck with your goals for the rest of the round.

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